Wade E. Mainer

MAINER, Wade E. - Of Flint, age 104, died Monday, September 12, 2011 at his residence. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2011 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint, Pastor Butch Martin, Reverend Ernest Davis and Reverend Darrell Milliman co-officiating. Burial in Crestwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Deliverance Tabernacle, G-4089 Fenton Rd., Burton, MI 48529, Carriage Town Ministries, 605 Garland St., Flint, MI 48502, Feed The Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101, 1-800-462-8948. Visitation 11 a.m - 8 p.m. Thursday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. Wade was born in Weaverville, NC on April 21, 1907. He married Julia Brown on November 28, 1937. He attended Deliverance Tabernacle. Mr. Mainer was employed by General Motors for 18 years, retiring in 1972 and was a member of UAW Local #659. Wade was considered the grandfather of Blue Grass Music and was the oldest living recording artist. He was a pioneer in Blue Grass and Country music. Surviving are wife, Julia; sons, William Frank and wife Eva of North Carolina, Kelly of Flint and Randall J. and wife Carma of Grand Blanc; daughter, Polly Hofmeister and husband Ralph Frederick of Rochester Hills, Michigan; two grandchildren, Stacie and husband Stephan Hoffmann of California and Todd and wife Andrea Hofmeister of Illinois; three great-grandchildren, Melina Hoffmann, Sophia and Benjamin Hofmeister; several step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Leon Spain, in 1985. Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com